Available commands within Windows Recovery Console

The following commands are available within the Windows Recovery Console. The commands are not case-sensitive.

Warning Some of these commands can make your system inoperable. Read the whole explanation of any command before you enter it onto the command line. Seek the advice of a support professional if you have any questions or concerns about a particular command.

HELP
Use the help command to list all the following supported commands:

attrib batch bootcfg cd chdir chkdsk cls copy

del delete dir disable diskpart enable exit expand

fixboot fixmbr format help listsvc logon map md

more mkdir more net rd ren rename rmdir

set systemroot type

ATTRIB
Use the attrib command together with one or more of the following parameters to change the attributes of a file or a folder: -R +R -S +S -H +H -C +C Notes + Sets an attribute - Resets an attribute R Read-only file attribute S System file attribute H Hidden file attribute

C Compressed file attribute

You must set or clear at least one attribute.

To view attributes, use the dir command.

BATCH
batch inputfile [outputfile] Use this command to run commands that are specified in a text file. In the command syntax, inputfile specifies the text file that contains the list of commands to be run, and outputfile specifies the file that contains the output of the specified commands. If you do not specify an output file, the output appears on the screen.

BOOTCFG
Use this command for boot configuration and recovery. This command has the following options: bootcfg /add bootcfg /rebuild bootcfg /scan bootcfg /list bootcfg /disableredirect bootcfg /redirect [portbaudrate] | [useBiosSettings] Examples: bootcfg /redirect com1 115200 bootcfg /redirect useBiosSettings You can use the following options: /add Adds a Windows installation to the boot menu list. /rebuild Iterates through all Windows installations so that you can specify which installations to add. /scan Scans all disks for Windows installations and displays the results so that you can specify which installations to add. /default Sets the default boot entry. /list Lists the entries already in the boot menu list. /disableredirect Disables redirection in the boot loader. /redirect Enables redirection in the boot loader, with the specified configuration.

CD and CHDIR
Use the cd and chdir commands to change to a different folder. For example, you can use the following commands: Type cd .. to change to the parent folder. Type cd drive: to display the current folder in the specified drive. Type cd without parameters to display the current drive and folder.

The chdir command treats spaces as delimiters. Because of this, you must put quotation marks ("") around a folder name that contains a space.The following is an example: cd "\windows\profiles\username\programs\start menu" The chdir command works only in the system folders of the current installation of Windows, in removable media, in the root folder of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation sources.

CHKDSK
chkdsk drive /p /r The chkdsk command checks the specified drive and repairs or recovers the drive if the drive requires it. The command also marks any bad sectors and it recovers readable information.

You can use the following options: /p Does an exhaustive check of the drive and corrects any errors. /r Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information. Note If you specify the /r option, the /p option is implied. When you specify the chkdsk command without arguments, the command checks the current drive with no options in effect.

When you run the chkdsk command, you must use the Autochk.exe file. CHKDSK automatically locates this file in the startup folder. If the Command Console was preinstalled, the startup folder is typically the Cmdcons folder. If CHKDSK cannot find Autochk.exe in the startup folder, CHKDSK tries to locate the Windows installation disc. If it cannot find the installation media, CHKDSK prompts you for the location of the Autochk.exe file.

CLS
Use this command to clear the screen.

COPY
copy source destination Use this command to copy a file. In the command syntax, source specifies the file to copy and destination specifies the folder or file name for the new file. You cannot use wildcard characters indicated by an asterisk (*), and you cannot copy a folder. If you copy a compressed file from the Windows installation disc, the file is automatically decompressed while it is copied.

The source of the file can be removable media, any folder in the system folders of the current Windows installation, the root of any drive, the local installation sources, or the Cmdcons folder.

If destination is unspecified, the default destination is the current folder. If the file already exists, you are prompted whether you want the copied file to overwrite the existing file. The destination cannot be removable media.

DEL and DELETE

del drive: path filename delete drive: path filename Use this command to delete a file. In the command syntax, drive: path filename specifies the file that you want to delete. The delete command works only in the system folders of the current Windows installation, in removable media, in the root folder of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation sources. The delete command does not accept wildcard characters.

DIR
dir drive: path filename Use this command to display a list of files and subfolders in a folder. In the command syntax, drive: path filename specifies the drive, folder, and files to list. The dir command lists all files, including hidden files and system files. Files can have the following attributes: D Directory H Hidden file S System file E Encrypted R Read-only file A Files ready for archiving C Compressed P Reparse point The dir command works only in the system folders of the current Windows installation, in removable media, in the root folder of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation sources.

DISABLE
disable servicename Use this command to disable a Windows system service or a driver. In the command syntax, servicename specifies the name of the service or driver that you want to disable.

Use the listsvc command to display all services or drivers that are eligible to be disabled. The disable command prints the old start type of the service before resetting the start type to SERVICE_DISABLED. Record the old start type if you must enable the service again.

The disable command displays the following start_type values: SERVICE_DISABLED SERVICE_BOOT_START SERVICE_SYSTEM_START

SERVICE_AUTO_START SERVICE_DEMAND_START

DISKPART
diskpart /add/deletedevice_name drive_name partition_name size Use this command to manage the partitions on your hard disk volumes. You can use the following options: /add Creates a new partition. /delete Deletes an existing partition. device_name The name of the device that is used to create a new partition. drive_name A drive-letter-based name, for example D:. partition_name The partition-based name for deleting an existing partition. size The size of the new partition in megabytes. You can determine the device name from the output of the MAP command, for example, \Device\HardDisk0. You can use the partition name instead of the drive name argument, for example, \Device\HardDisk0\Partition1. If you use no arguments, a user interface for managing your partitions appears.

Warning If you use this command on a disk that has a dynamic disk configuration, you may damage the partition table. Do not modify the structure of dynamic disks unless you are using the Disk Management tool.

ENABLE
enable servicename start_type You can use the enable command to enable a Windows system service or a driver.

Use the listsvc command to display all eligible services or drivers to enable. The enable command prints the old start type of the service before it is reset to the new value. It is a good idea to note the old value, in case you have to restore the start type of the service.

Valid options for start_type are as follows: SERVICE_BOOT_START SERVICE_SYSTEM_START SERVICE_AUTO_START SERVICE_DEMAND_START If you do not specify a new start type, the enable command prints the old start type for you.

EXIT
Use the exit command to exit the Recovery Console and restart your computer.

EXPAND
expand source [/F:filespec] [destination] [/y] expand source [/F:filespec] /D Use this command to expand a file. In the command syntax, source specifies the name of the file to be expanded and destination specifies the folder for the new file. If you do not specify a destination, the command uses the current folder by default. You cannot include wildcard characters.

You can use the following options: /y Do not prompt before overwriting an existing file. /f:filespec Identifies the files to be expanded. /d Do not expand; display only a directory of the files in the source. If the source contains more than one file, you must use the /f:filespec parameter to find the specific files to be expanded. You can include wildcard characters.

The destination can be any folder in the system folders of the current Windows installation, in the root of the drive, in the local installation sources, or in the Cmdcons folder. The destination cannot be removable media, and the destination file cannot be read-only. Use the attrib command to remove the read-only attribute.

Unless you use the /y option, the expand command prompts you if the destination file already exists.

FIXBOOT
fixboot drive name: Use this command to write the new Windows boot sector code on the system partition. In the command syntax, drive name is the drive letter where the boot sector will be written. This command fixes damage in the Windows boot sector. This command overrides the default setting, which writes to the system boot partition. The fixboot command is supported only on x86-based computers.

FIXMBR
fixmbr device name Use this command to repair the MBR of the boot partition. In the command syntax, device name is an optional device name that specifies the device that requires a new MBR. Use this command if a virus has damaged the MBR and Windows cannot start.

Warning This command can damage your partition tables if a virus is present or if a hardware problem exists. If you use this command, you may create inaccessible partitions. We recommend that you run antivirus software before you use this command.

You can obtain the device name from the output of the map command. If you do not specify a device name, the MBR of the boot device is repaired, for example: fixmbr \device\harddisk2 If the fixmbr command detects an invalid or non-standard partition table signature, fixmbr command prompts you for permission before it rewrites the MBR. The fixmbr command is supported only on x86-based computers.

FORMAT
format drive: /Q /FS:file-system Use this command to format the specified drive to the specified file system. In the command syntax, /Q performs a quick format of the drive, drive is the drive letter of the partition to format, and /FS:file-system specifies the type of file system to use such as FAT, FAT32, or NTFS. If you do not specify a file system, the existing file system format is used if it is available.

LISTSVC
The listsvc command lists all available services, drivers, and their start types for the current Windows installation. This command is useful together with the disable and enable commands.

The list is extracted from the %SystemRoot%\System32\Config\System hive. If the System hive is damaged or missing, the results are unpredictable.

LOGON
logon The logon command lists all detected installations of Windows and then requests the local administrator password for the copy of Windows that you want to log on to. If your first three tries to log on fail, the console closes, and your computer restarts.

MAP
map arc Use this command to list drive letters, file system types, partition sizes, and mappings to physical devices. In the command syntax, the arc parameter tells the map command to use ARC paths instead of Windows Device paths.

MD and MKDIR
The md and mkdir commands create new folders. Wildcard characters are not supported. The mkdir command works only in the system folders of the current installation of Windows, in removable media, in the root folder of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation sources.

MORE
more filename

Use this command to display a text file to the screen.

NET
Although the Help file states otherwise, the net command is not usable from the Recovery Console. The protocols stack is not loaded for the Recovery Console. Therefore, there is no networking function available.

RD and RMDIR
Use rd and rmdir commands to delete a folder. These commands work only in the system folders of the current Windows installation, in removable media, in the root folder of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation sources.

REN and RENAME

Use the ren and rename commands to rename a file.

Note You cannot specify a new drive or path for the renamed file. These commands work only in the system folders of the current Windows installation, in removable media, in the root folder of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation sources.

SET
You can use the set to display or modify four environment options. AllowWildCards = FALSE AllowAllPaths = FALSE AllowRemovableMedia = FALSE NoCopyPrompt = FALSE For more information about how to use the set command, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 235364 Description of the SET command in Recovery Console

SYSTEMROOT
The systemroot command sets the current working folder to the %SystemRoot% folder of the Windows installation that you are currently logged on to.

TYPE
type filename Use the type command to display a text file.